The Flames of Florence
A Da Vinci's Disciples Novel
Published on 24. May 2018
Book
Paperback/Softback
260 pages
978-1-63576-379-9 (ISBN)
Description
"A glittering Renaissance gem of a novel. Donna Russo Morin, a master of her craft, has penned an intricate story full of lush historical detail with a plot that will leave you breathless." -Tasha Alexander, New York Times bestselling author of Death in St. Petersburg
In her final standalone novel featuring Da Vinci's Disciples, Donna Russo Morin delivers a thrilling story of the secret female artists of Florence, under the tutelage of Leonardo Da Vinci, and their heroic, potentially deadly efforts to save great works of art from the infamous Bonfire of the Vanities.
"Illicit plots, mysterious paintings, and Leonardo da Vinci all have their part to play in this delicious, heart-pounding work." -Kate Quinn, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Alice Network
Lorenzo de Medici is dead, and his son Piero has brought war and famine upon the city of Florence. Yet, the glory that is Renaissance artistry grows more magnificent, as does the work of the women known as Da Vinci's Disciples. Now they face their most dangerous challenge, one shrouded in the cloak of a monk.
From the ashes of war, Friar Girolamo Savonarola rises. Some call him a savior and a prophet, a man willing to overthrow tyrannical rulers and corrupt clergy, the Borgia Pope among them. Fra Girolamo is determined to remold Florence from an avaricious, secular culture to a paragon of Christian virtues.
Many call Savonarola a delusional heretic, incapable of anything but self-serving fanaticism. When he sets out to destroy all secular art forms, Da Vinci's Disciples call him an enemy ... but not all of them.
"Like a glorious Italian fresco-richly textured and vividly portrayed ... Highly recommended for lovers of history, art, and courageous women." -Anna Lee Huber, bestselling author of the Lady Darby Mysteries
"Donna Russo Morin renders one of the most tumultuous periods in Florence's history in bright colors and with vivid descriptions. This tale of a group of determined women standing up for what they believe in ... will absolutely resonate with modern readers." -Alyssa Palombo, author of The Most Beautiful Woman in Florence
In her final standalone novel featuring Da Vinci's Disciples, Donna Russo Morin delivers a thrilling story of the secret female artists of Florence, under the tutelage of Leonardo Da Vinci, and their heroic, potentially deadly efforts to save great works of art from the infamous Bonfire of the Vanities.
"Illicit plots, mysterious paintings, and Leonardo da Vinci all have their part to play in this delicious, heart-pounding work." -Kate Quinn, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Alice Network
Lorenzo de Medici is dead, and his son Piero has brought war and famine upon the city of Florence. Yet, the glory that is Renaissance artistry grows more magnificent, as does the work of the women known as Da Vinci's Disciples. Now they face their most dangerous challenge, one shrouded in the cloak of a monk.
From the ashes of war, Friar Girolamo Savonarola rises. Some call him a savior and a prophet, a man willing to overthrow tyrannical rulers and corrupt clergy, the Borgia Pope among them. Fra Girolamo is determined to remold Florence from an avaricious, secular culture to a paragon of Christian virtues.
Many call Savonarola a delusional heretic, incapable of anything but self-serving fanaticism. When he sets out to destroy all secular art forms, Da Vinci's Disciples call him an enemy ... but not all of them.
"Like a glorious Italian fresco-richly textured and vividly portrayed ... Highly recommended for lovers of history, art, and courageous women." -Anna Lee Huber, bestselling author of the Lady Darby Mysteries
"Donna Russo Morin renders one of the most tumultuous periods in Florence's history in bright colors and with vivid descriptions. This tale of a group of determined women standing up for what they believe in ... will absolutely resonate with modern readers." -Alyssa Palombo, author of The Most Beautiful Woman in Florence
Reviews / Votes
"Illicit plots, mysterious paintings, and Leonardo da Vinci all have their part to play in this delicious, heart-pounding work by Donna Russo Morin." -Kate Quinn, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Alice Network"The Flames of Florence is a glittering Renaissance gem of a novel. Donna Russo Morin, a master of her craft, has penned an intricate story full of lush historical detail with a plot that will leave you breathless." -Tasha Alexander, New York Times bestselling author of Death in St. Petersburg
"Donna Russo Morin writes with great style, erudition, and passion, illuminating the most terrifying events of the Florentine Renaissance-Savonarola's brutal, despotic, utterly mad reign, one that seduced so many citizens into joining the insanity. This five-hundred-year-old story is shockingly contemporary." -Robin Maxwell, bestselling author of Signora Da Vinci and The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn
"Morin's latest is like a glorious Italian fresco-richly textured and vividly portrayed. Readers will be enthralled by the continuing saga of Da Vinci's Disciples. Highly recommended for lovers of history, art, and courageous women." -Anna Lee Huber, bestselling author of the Lady Darby Mysteries
"In The Flames of Florence, Donna Russo Morin renders one of the most tumultuous and fascinating periods in Florence's history in bright colors and with vivid, rich descriptions. This tale of a group of determined women standing up for what they believe in during an uncertain time will absolutely resonate with modern readers." -Alyssa Palombo, author of The Most Beautiful Woman in Florence
"In fifteenth-century Florence, artistic competition was a blood sport. Donna Russo Morin brings all the drama of this period to life in The Flames of Florence. Richly painted yet rooted in the strange truth of the world of Girolamo Savonarola, Morin's novel weaves together characters real and imagined, against the backdrop of fear, ambition, and lust for artistic achievement that characterized the last decades of fifteenth-century Florence. A must-read for those who want to experience the pulsing heart of the Italian Renaissance." -Dr. Laura Morelli, art historian, author of The Gondolier Maker
"If you enjoy historical fiction, romance, superb character development, and stories where characters seek to make a difference in their world, you need to read the Da Vinci's Disciples series by Donna Russo Morin. I personally can't wait for the conclusion to this thrilling trilogy." -The Book Connection
Praise for Portrait of a Conspiracy
"...a page-turner unlike any historical novel, weaving passion, adventure, artistic rebirth, and consequences of ambition... a masterful writer at the peak of her craft." -C. W. Gortner, Author of The Confessions of Catherine de' Medici
"In Portrait of a Conspiracy, Russo Morin's prose is as sharp as a Medici dagger... Thwarting danger, finding love, and creating masterpieces, [these women] remind us just how powerful the bonds of womanhood can be." -Marci Jefferson, Author of The Enchantress of Paris
"This riveting book is filled with art, assassinations, retribution, and a sisterhood of fascinating women who inspire as well as entertain." -Stephanie Dray, New York Times bestselling Author of America's First Daughter
"Russo Morin's elegant command of language and composition left me breathless, but the story itself, with its flawless depiction of power, corruption, defiance, intrigue and retribution makes Portrait of a Conspiracy an absolute must read." -Flashlight Commentary
"This riveting historical fiction novel [is] filled with art, passion, and violence. A portrait of the dangerous beauty of Renaissance Florence." -The Florentine
"The action is fierce and the stillness is resplendent with intensity of being. The suspense is thrilling and intelligent. The writing is masterful." -Open Book Society
"Elegant and Intriguing!" -Red Carpet Crash
Praise for The Competition
"If you enjoy historical fiction, romance, superb character development, and stories where characters seek to make a difference in their world, you need to read the Da Vinci's Disciples series by Donna Russo Morin. I personally can't wait for the conclusion to this thrilling trilogy." -The Book Connection
"What is unique about these women is not only their loyalty as wives, daughters, and mothers, but also the fierceness of their artistic sensibilities, which must find satisfaction in producing works of phenomenal beauty. Superb historical fiction and a must read! " -Historical Novel Society, Editor's Choice
"THE COMPETITION is a page-turning, provocative romp through a fascinating time and place-15th-century Florence. Donna Russo Morin has given us a novel for our time, a book featuring strong female characters fighting the odds to break the "glass ceiling," and reminding us that this battle is not new: women have been waging it for centuries. -Sherry Jones, Author of The Sharp Hook of Love: A Novel of Heloise and Abelard
"In elegant prose, Morin paints a captivating tale of courageous women painters who battle against prejudices in Renaissance Florence. Featuring strong women characters, each with distinctive personalities, this is exactly the type of historical novel I enjoy. Exhilarating and compassionate, The Competition sings a beautiful tribute of women's talents and underscores Morin's masterful storytelling. Delightful!" -Weina Dai Randel, Author of The Moon in the Palace and The Empress of Bright Moon
"An inspiring tale of determined women, empowered by undeniable talent, in the male-dominated art world of Renaissance Florence. In The Competition, Ms. Russo Morin delivers a captivating story rich with historical detail and beautifully woven through with atmosphere." -Diane Haeger, Author of Courtesan
"...an inspiring work of historical fiction that should not be missed." -True Book Addict
"Filled with great detail and other historical figures at the time, this book was a real treat!" -A Bookish Affair
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 140 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-63576-379-9 (9781635763799)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Donna earned two degrees from the University of Rhode Island. In addition to writing, teaching writing, and reviewing for literary journals, Donna works as a model and actor; highlights of her work include two seasons on Showtime's Brotherhood and an appearance in Martin Scorsese's The Departed. Visit her website at www.donnarussomorin.com, friend her at http://www.facebook.com/Donna.Russo.Morin, and follow her at @DonnaRussoMorin.